space junk : NPR

space junk space junk

space junk

A rendering in a video by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shows an electrodynamic tether being deployed to help reduce the amount of space junk in orbit. JAXA hide caption

toggle caption

JAXA

The Two-Way

Japan Sends Long Electric Whip Into Orbit, To Tame Space Junk

December 9, 2016 • A cable that's as long as six football fields has been launched into orbit — and when it's deployed, it'll test an idea to knock out debris that threatens astronauts and spacecraft.

Stuart Grey/YouTube/Screenshot by NPR

The Two-Way

WATCH: The Stuff We've Left In Space

December 30, 2015 • Scientists keep track of nearly 20,000 pieces of space debris, from the size of an apple to that of a school bus. A visualization from the Royal Institution lets you watch the orbiting trash pile up.

Report: North Korea's Satellite May Be 'Tumbling Out Of Control'

An image, from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), of what's said to be the launch on Wednesday. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Report: North Korea's Satellite May Be 'Tumbling Out Of Control'

December 13, 2012 • NBC News reports that U.S. officials tracking the object warn it isn't orbiting normally. South Korea's defense ministry says it may be a couple more weeks before it's known for sure if the satellite is circling the planet safely.